How Long Do Opened Coffee Beans Last? How to Keep Ground Coffee from Losing Flavor? Professional Guide to Coffee Storage

The freshness of coffee beans directly affects the flavor profile of a cup of coffee, and proper storage is a crucial factor in maintaining coffee bean freshness. How should roasted coffee beans be stored? Roasted coffee beans require attention to humidity, temperature, and oxidation, as oxidation accelerates the dissipation of flavor in roasted coffee beans.

So how long can opened coffee beans last?

The optimal tasting period for coffee beans is within 4-30 days after roasting. Coffee beans past their optimal tasting period are not necessarily undrinkable, but even with proper storage, their flavors will still dissipate. Therefore, coffee beans after 30 days may exhibit insufficient aroma and a lackluster taste. Setting aside flavor and aroma considerations, roasted coffee beans have a shelf life of 365 days.

Ground coffee has an even shorter optimal tasting period—without proper storage, it may lose its flavor within a week, so it should be used as soon as possible.

How can coffee beans be preserved for as long as possible? Let's first understand the "killers" of coffee bean freshness.

Coffee Bean Freshness "Killer" ①

Light Sources & High Temperature

Light source refers to sunlight. The heat from sunlight accelerates the volatilization of aromatic substances (aroma) in coffee beans. The inner packaging of coffee beans sold by FrontStreet Coffee uses aluminum foil, whose primary function is to reflect light. However, it doesn't provide true heat insulation, so coffee beans should be stored away from heat sources.

Coffee Bean Freshness "Killer" ②

Humidity

Humidity refers to moisture in the air. Originally dry coffee beans exposed to humid environments for extended periods will inevitably encounter moisture intrusion when opened, even with the protection of sealed containers. Moist coffee beans are prone to spoilage and may develop moldy off-flavors that directly affect the coffee's taste. Therefore, a dry environment better maintains coffee bean freshness.

Coffee Bean Freshness "Killer" ③

Oxygen

At this point, you might say: "Oxygen is everywhere, it's impossible to avoid it~" Don't rush—this doesn't mean completely preventing coffee beans from contacting oxygen, but rather minimizing the contact time between oxygen and coffee beans. After opening and taking out coffee beans, the remaining beans in the package/container should be sealed as quickly as possible to slow down the oxidation process.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473